Applied Physicist - Pixel-Detector R&D (EP-DT-SD-2025-243-GRAP)
CERN - The European Research Center of Particle Physics
Employment Type: Full-time
Join the CERN Experimental Physics department in its R&D program on technologies for future experiments, focusing on advanced silicon pixel detectors.
The work involves combining sensors and readout electronics into compact, lightweight detector hybrids. You will develop and test new methods for connecting these components, working closely with the R&D team and international collaborators.
Your responsibilities:
- Contribution to the development and validation of in-house hybridisation processes based on advanced interconnect technologies such as conductive adhesives and gold studs.
- Production of functional hybrid assemblies, in collaboration with the participating projects.
- Contribution to the preparation and maintenance of testing infrastructure for laboratory and test-beam measurements.
- Performance testing of advanced hybrid timing and tracking detectors in laboratory measurements and with particle beams.
- Reliability tests (thermal cycling, irradiations) on mechanical and functional samples, development of suitable QA and QC procedures for yield measurement and failure classification, performance measurements before and after thermal cycling and irradiations.
- Analysis of test data, documentation and publication of results.
This role includes team supervision responsibilities.
Your profile:
- Silicon-detector technology: device fabrication and testing.
- Experiment design.
- Material characterisation methods.
- Analysis of test data.
Skills:
- Knowledge of silicon detectors.
- Basic Python programming skills.
- Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
- Presentation and documentation of results.
- Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.
Eligibility criteria:
- You have a professional background in Physics (or a related field) and have either:
- a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
- or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
- You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
Additional Information
Job closing date: 16.01.2026 at 23:59 CET.
Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.
Job flexibility: Fully Onsite
Target start date: 01-February-2026
This position involves:
- Work in Radiation Areas.
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
Job reference: EP-DT-SD-2025-243-GRAP
Field of work: Applied Physics
Benchmark job: 200140 - Applied Physicist
What we offer
- A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
- Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
- Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
- 30 days of paid leave per year.
- On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.
About us
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.
We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.
Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!
Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.
